UBEC partners US company to provide 47m laptops, tablets to students, teachers nationwide

The Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a United States (US) based company, Digital Learning Network, to provide 47 million laptops and tablets for students and teachers across Nigeria.

Speaking at the MoU signing in Abuja on Monday, September 1, UBEC executive secretary, Aisha Garba, said the initiative would transform learning in pre primary, primary, and junior secondary schools, especially in underserved communities.

The partnership, which involves Deloitte Financial Advisory, United Bank for Africa Plc, Zenith Bank, and the National Credit Guarantee company, will be funded through private investments from development finance institutions, global technology partners, and institutional investors.

“This partnership will provide about seven million students and their teachers with devices bundled with digital learning content and internet connectivity. It’s a transformative leap for our education system,” she said.

Garba explained that the project would also include teacher training, internet access, and the establishment of regional hubs for assembling and distributing devices.

She added, “In addition to the 47 million devices, laptops, there will also be a provision of connectivity, internet connectivity, working with all the relevant partners, ensuring that there is infrastructure as well as the minimum standards across all the schools that will benefit from this particular project.

“There will be teacher training in collaboration with the National Teachers Institute to ensure that it aligns with our national standards.

“The hubs will create jobs, build local expertise, and boost the economy.”

The DLN President and Chief Executive Officer ( CEO) Thomas Larmena described the rollout as the largest digital education project in Africa.

“This is a unique opportunity to digitally transform Nigeria’s education sector at no cost to federal or state governments, while keeping costs low for parents and students.

“We have secured strong global partners, including Huawei and Samsung, and we are ready to roll out nationwide,” he said.

Larmena announced that the project has begun in Akwa Ibom State, with other states slated to join through commitments from the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF).

A key component of this initiative is the creation of modern regional laptop assembly plants in Nigeria’s special economic zones.

These facilities will initially have an annual production capacity of one million devices, with the ability to expand to two million.